On this day, 53 years ago, December 30, 1972 (November 25, 1972 in the lunar calendar), Nixon ordered the cessation of the bombing of northern Vietnam. In times of peace, U.S. soldiers watch Mass in the mountains of South Vietnam. On December 30, 1972, after two weeks of fierce bombing attacks on northern Vietnam, U.S. President Nixon stopped U.S. air offensive. Prior to the announcement, there had been speculation that the bombing of the northern 20th parallel had not helped but hindered the U.S. truce efforts. In these sudden bombings, 15 U.S. B-52 bombers and 12 other aircraft were shot down. Ninety-three pilots have been killed, captured or missing since the battle began on December 18. A military official who has always been tough on Vietnam said,"Will bombing be effective? I don't see what effect bombing will have." However, another official believed the decision to stop the air strikes was counterproductive in ending the war. "Even if these bombs cannot force the enemy to engage in successful peace talks, they will undermine the enemy's will to fight," he said. International and domestic public opinion has put pressure on the bombing to stop. This is believed to be the reason for the decision, although President Nixon did not elaborate on it or comment on recent criticism by Pope Paul VI, who condemned the use of "painful delays" to achieve peace.